- Yes
- No
Introduction: Throughout the Second World War, the British made great use of American aircraft in their operations. One type that they made use of was the medium bomber, making prolific use of the Havoc, Mitchell and Marauder, especially in the Mediterranean Theatre. However, by 1944, these types were ageing rapidly and a replacement was soon considered necessary. In the US, these types were being replaced by the A-26 Invader, and the RAF soon followed suite. Whilst the Invader would go on to have a long career in US service, its usage in the RAF was short and thus not well documented, with very few sources existing about its service life. As such, the information here is based off of limited sources, and thus, is of relatively limited scope, and is the best possible representation of the information that I had at hand.
Description: The RAF received an early production A-26B from the US in July 1944, with the aircraft being tested by the A&AEE at Boscombe Down. Following these tests, the RAF ordered 140 A-26C-DTs, and were given the designation of Invader B.Mk.I in British service, being assigned serials KL690-892. They were intended to serve with No.2 Group in the Mediterranean, to replace the Bostons in service with No.88 Squadron and 342 Free French Squadron. Two aircraft were received directly from US stocks in December 1944. Test pilots were pleased with the performance, and found the quick-release cowlings quite convenient, as well as the double-slot flaps. Oddly, armament does not seem to have been tested all that much at this stage, though it does seem that the British were not really happy with the periscopic sights for the rear turrets. Of note is the fact that the British did not really take consideration of a heavy nose-mounted machine gun armament, instead placing ballast to simulate a 37mm and 75mm cannon mounted together, or two 37mm and two .50 calibre machine guns. This is rather interesting, as the RAF had tested a B-25G armed with a 75mm cannon at around this time and had not really liked the idea all that much. The Air Staff were quite enthusiastic about the type however, and decide to place an initial order for 480 examples of this type, though with modifications made repositioning the bomb switch handle, and flame dampening on the engines. Unfortunately, that same day, one of the Invaders that was being tested at Boscombe Down was involved in a fatal accident after one of the turret covers had come off and hid the fin, which significantly reduced rudder effectiveness. Though the incident made No.2 Group’s commander somewhat more cautious when requesting the aircraft, the main changes to the order would come mainly from the changing nature of the air war over Europe, with the order being reduced to 140 aircraft. Despite this, armament trials continued, with testing of 500lb and 1000lb bombs occurring, though the RAF requested that the bomb bay capacity for 500lb bombs be upped to eight from six. The first example was completed on 19th February, 1945 in Tulsa, and was sent into storage pending modification. A total of 33 aircraft would be completed before the end of the War In Europe, by which time the RAF had cancelled the order entirely, keeping the two aircraft they had received in 1944. It had become clear that by mid-1945, there was no reason to replace the Mitchells and Havocs of No.2 Group, as these would last sufficiently long enough to see their service through to the end of the War. The aircraft which were produced were sent to California for storage and eventual disposal, with the RAF handing back the two aircraft in 1947, ending the Invader’s brief stint in the RAF.
Performance:
Spoiler
- Role: Ground attack/light bomber
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
- First flight: July 10, 1942
- Introduction: June 30, 1943
- Retired: June 1, 1972 (US); 1980 (Colombian Air Force)
- Produced 1942-1945
- Built: 2,452
- Unit cost: $242,595 (1942)
- Crew: 3
- Length: 50 ft
- Wingspan 70 ft
- Height: 18 ft 6 in
- Empty weight: 22,370 lb
- Max takeoff weight: 35,000 lb
- Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-71 Double Wasp 18-cylinder cooled two-row radial pistons, 2,000 hp each
- Max speed: 359 mph at 16,700 feet
- Cruise speed 284 mph
- Range: 1,600 mi at 5,000 ft
- Combat range: 610 mi
- Ferry range: 3,000 mi
- Service ceiling: 28,500 ft
Armament, notable
- Up to 8 .50 in M2 machine guns paired in four optional pods
- 2 x .50 in M2 machines guns, each, in remote-controlled dorsal and ventral turrets
- Rockets: Up to 10 5-inch HVAR rockets
- Bombs: Up to 6,000 lb capacity
Conclusion: I think that this would make for a highly interesting aircraft in the UK tech tree, that would be set apart from other aircraft in the tree, filling a unique gap for which there is no British equivalent, unless we count in half-built aircraft.
Sources:
Spoiler
“The Secret Years: Flight Testing at Boscombe Down 1939-1945” by Tim Mason
Air Forces that flew the A-26 Invader
A-26 Invader in RNZAF | Wings Over New Zealand